New findings reported in the British Journal of Nutrition indicate that overweight and obese people have lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids than people with a normal body weight.
For this study, researchers recruited 124 people of varying weights, some healthy, some overweight (BMI over 25) and some obese (BMI over 30).
Blood samples for measuring omega-3 levels were taken after each person fasted for at least ten hours. People who consumed omega-3 supplements were excluded.
Overall, the scientists saw total omega-3 blood levels go down as waist size, hip circumference, and body mass index (BMI) went up.
Obese people had omega-3 blood levels of about 5 percent, compared to 5.25 percent in their slimmer peers.
These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may play an important role in body weight as well as abdominal obesity, say the Australian researchers.
Previous studies have implicated omega-3 in protective benefits against obesity, and this new study adds to this small but growing body of evidence.
It's thought that fish oil can regulate weight status by improving appetite control along with a subsequent reduction in caloric intake.
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